What has been a never-ending conflict perpetrated by predominantly right-winged agitators finally made its way to the steps of Prince William County on Wednesday night.

The war over the teaching of Critical Race Theory, which has turned into a myriad of heated school board meetings all over the country, including Loudoun County, escalated at the Edward Kelly Leadership Center. Before the meeting could start, there were concerns about overcrowding. According to WTOP, school security and Prince William County police were enforcing the 53-person capacity for the public inside the building. That would not deter those who were determined to let their voice be heard, and they attempted to force their way in.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss mandating COVID-19 vaccines or weekly testing, as well as changing the rules for public comments, with the latter being due to what happened a month ago at Loudoun County. Sadly, that meeting did not start at its usual time as agitators began to argue with attendees on topics of race and country. Signs were held protesting Critical Race Theory, despite it not being taught in grades K-12, yet that concept was still out of grasp for the agitators.

One argument after another escalated, and eventually some of the attendees began to sing “Amazing Grace,” sitting peacefully in their chairs. It was quickly drowned out by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. The agitators made rude comments, particularly to some of the Black attendees, who did not engage in any argument, but remained calm. It got to the point where police and school security had to step in and clear the meeting room.

Eventually the meeting did take place, albeit took more than two hours after the original starting time, where the aforementioned measures were voted upon unanimously. The agitators went outside and began to hold their own rally, with talk of voting early and one person with a bullhorn saying, “I think we are going to have to escalate this in other ways.”

Power is always in the hands of those who stand for what is best, and the rhetoric of the ignorant will not change that.